Cybersquatting Definition

The practice of acquiring a business name, trademark, or celebrity name as a domain name, hoping to later profit by reselling the domain name back to the company or person who has been disadvantaged. The Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act of 1999 authorizes a cybersquatting victim to file a federal lawsuit to regain a domain name or sue for financial compensation. Victims of cybersquatting can also use the provisions of the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy adopted by ICANN, an international tribunal administering domain names.